Grand Castle
Grand Castle is located in Michigan
Grand Castle
General information
StatusUnder construction
TypeMulti-Family Residential
Address2655 Grand Castle Blvd.,
Grandville, Michigan
Town or cityGrandville, Michigan
CountryUnited States
Coordinates42°54′57″N 85°45′36″W / 42.91583°N 85.76000°W / 42.91583; -85.76000
Construction startedApril 2016[1]
Completed2018
OpenedNovember 2018
Cost$50 million +
Height198 ft
Technical details
Floor count12+
Floor area+1,000,000 sq ft (93,000 m2)
Lifts/elevators5
Design and construction
Architecture firmFugleberg Koch
DeveloperGrand Castle, LLC
Other information
Parking750+
Website
www.grandcastle.com

The Grand Castle is a multi-family residential development in Grandville, Michigan with 520 apartment units.[2] The Grand Castle's design was inspired by the Neuschwanstein Castle[1] and it has been described as "the second largest castle structure in the world."[3] (The largest castle in the world measured by land area is Malbork Castle in Poland).

History

After years of lower building proposals in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, proposals and new construction began to increase to some of their highest rates in 2015 and 2016.[4] In 2015, Roger Lucas, owner of Grand Castle, LLC, and the site's developer, submitted plans to the City of Grandville, Michigan for the Grand Castle.

The site was originally developed by La Grande LLC as the LaGrande Mobile Home Park in 1957, which was one of the oldest mobile home developments in the area. LaGrande Mobile Home Park closed in 2005 to be marketed for redevelopment for highest and best use. Grand Castle LLC acquired the 23.6-acre site from La Grande LLC in May 2016 [5] and planned for a Mixed Use Planned Unit Development (MPUD) of the Grand Castle.[6]

In 2016, Grand Castle, LLC purchased 52-acre Sanford Lake, that adjoins the 23.6-acre development site. Sanford Lake was previously owned by Grand Rapids Gravel Company.[7] Sanford Lake formed years ago when the local gravel company actively mined the area. Gravel mining operations at the location ended several years ago, making Sanford Lake a safe habitat for various species of wildlife, including ducks, geese, northern pike, largemouth bass, and many other animals.

As of August 2018, only 50 people had placed money deposits on the apartments, resulting in a less than 10% confirmed level of interest.[8]

Design and construction

The origination of the Grand Castle is rooted from the owner's admiration of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Grand Castle's owner, Roger Lucas, said he and his family have visited the Bavarian castle "at least 10 times". The original proposal for the 23.6-acre site included a 10-story building with 356 multi-family units, though the final design is larger.[1][3][9]

Construction for the Grand Castle began in April 2016, with the castle passing the 100-foot mark on September 13, 2016.[1][3] Construction materials include, but are not limited to concrete precast walls and siding, "Red Iron" roof trusses, and steel panel roofing. The Grand Castle now houses 508 multi-family units which range from studio to three-story penthouse. There are also plans for 750 covered parking spaces, a clubhouse, a resort-style swimming pool, dog park, and a community beach with fire pits. Additional recreation activities include swimming, fishing, or kayaking at Sanford Lake, a walking trail, and other amenities.[1][3][9][7]

Michigan OSHA has conducted several inspections during construction. These inspections resulted in 12 violations, nine of which were "serious."[10]

Proposed Developments

Phase II of the Grand Castle's site development includes plans for an additional 104 residential units, situated in 13 carriage house buildings that contain 8 residential units each, around the Grand Castle's perimeter.[11] In addition, Phase II includes building 64,500 square feet of office and retail space along frontage on 28th Street.[11][3]

Since Opening

The first tenants signed their leases and moved in during November 2018. However, only the second and third floors were finished upon opening, and some amenities like the fitness centre had not been completed either.[12]

On 21 October 2021 the Grand Castle's developer and then-owner Roger Lucas died after suffering a heart attack. In obituaries, the Grand Castle was described as Lucas' "passion project".[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Sell, Sarah (29 August 2016). "Castle apartments being built in Grandville". WZZM. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  2. ↑ "MIOSHA investigating Grand Castle project in Grandville". WOODTV.com. 2018-01-12. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Harger, Jim (14 September 2016). "Castle-inspired apartment complex with 400 units is rising quickly". MLive. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  4. ↑ Harger, Jim (7 July 2016). "Apartment construction booms in first half of 2016". MLive. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "Online Services - Kent County, Michigan".
  6. ↑ Castle "City of Grandville Planning Commission Minutes" (PDF). www.cityofgrandville.com. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  7. 1 2 Castle "City of Grandville Planning Commission Minutes" (PDF). www.cityofgrandville.com. 7 Dec 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2017. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. ↑ Manes, Nick. "Stately quarters or royal mess? Polarizing Grand Castle embodies developer's dream for luxury living". Retrieved 2018-10-07.
  9. 1 2 Harger, Jim (29 June 2015). "'Grand Castle' apartment development proposed for former mobile home park". MLive. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  10. ↑ "MIOSHA opens inspection at Grand Castle apartment construction". Fox17. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-03-08.
  11. 1 2 Castle "City of Grandville City Council Packet" (PDF). www.cityofgrandville.com. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 2017-05-28. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  12. ↑ McVicar, Brian (2018-11-17). "Grand Castle apartments opens to first tenants". mlive. Archived from the original on 2023-10-15. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
  13. ↑ McVicar, Brian (2021-10-26). "'Inspirational' builder behind The Grand Castle apartments dies at 67". mlive. Archived from the original on 2023-10-15. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
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